Switch being rejected - Due to EDF System Changes

dunstonh

[Deleted User] said:

Their new billing system is useless.

I find that surprising as they are now using the Kraken Technologies platform around the World: Octopus Energy has supply operations in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. In the UK, Kraken is being used by 4 suppliers. 

Clearly, I cannot comment on how EDF has decided to implement the billing system change reading but I doubt that it has anything to do with the billing platform. In truth, does it actually matter: you will only be billed for the standing charge until your meter index reading passes the change reading?

In the financial services sector, FNZ is generally regarded as the best platform software provider.    However, FNZ controls the backend and the provider controls the frontend.   There are plenty of configuration options.       Some platforms have the software so locked down that they appear toy town compared to those that embrace the configuration options. 

My guess that it is similar with Kraken.    
I was hoping to see the improvements with Kraken but after logging into EDF and seeing it virtually the same, I was disappointed.    I suspect EDF may be one of those that locks the configuration down to the minimum.

However, the processing of data should be done by Kraken, even if the front end is toytown.

Swipe

Dolor said:

Their new billing system is useless.

I find that surprising as they are now using the Kraken Technologies platform around the World: Octopus Energy has supply operations in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. In the UK, Kraken is being used by 4 suppliers. 

Clearly, I cannot comment on how EDF has decided to implement the billing system change reading but I doubt that it has anything to do with the billing platform. In truth, does it actually matter: you will only be billed for the standing charge until your meter index reading passes the change reading?

It doesn't really matter to me as I keep my own records and know exactly how much my monthly or 6 monthly bill is. However it's not great for those that don't, and how long before they increase my direct debit because their system is showing hundreds less in credit than there should be because they haven't recalculated using the up to date readings?

[Deleted User]

Swipe said:

Dolor said:

Their new billing system is useless.

I find that surprising as they are now using the Kraken Technologies platform around the World: Octopus Energy has supply operations in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. In the UK, Kraken is being used by 4 suppliers. 

Clearly, I cannot comment on how EDF has decided to implement the billing system change reading but I doubt that it has anything to do with the billing platform. In truth, does it actually matter: you will only be billed for the standing charge until your meter index reading passes the change reading?

It doesn't really matter to me as I keep my own records and know exactly how much my monthly or 6 monthly bill is. However it's not great for those that don't, and how long before they increase my direct debit because their system is showing hundreds less in credit than there should be because they haven't recalculated using the up to date readings?

Wow another conspiracy theory. Kraken has for the last 4 years used 30 minute usage for billing for many of its time-of-use tariffs along with API account access negating the need for spreadsheets etc. I can see at a glance whether my bill is correct: the information comes directly from my supplier account.

badmemory

If you are with the same supplier their internal processes should not prevent you from your right to switch.  If they felt like it they could do this on a daily basis.  Yes I know they wouldn't but if anyone wanted to switch providers they could stop them every time by changing something on their systems.  It would not be difficult to do.

la531983

badmemory said:

If you are with the same supplier their internal processes should not prevent you from your right to switch.  If they felt like it they could do this on a daily basis.  Yes I know they wouldn't but if anyone wanted to switch providers they could stop them every time by changing something on their systems.  It would not be difficult to do.

And the Ombudsman would have a field day. So that's never going to happen. Other that this situation, a switch already in progress, or a debt, there should be no other issue I can think of that should stop a switch. 
They can't just stop you because they feel like it. 

Swipe

Dolor said:

Swipe said:

Dolor said:

Their new billing system is useless.

I find that surprising as they are now using the Kraken Technologies platform around the World: Octopus Energy has supply operations in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. In the UK, Kraken is being used by 4 suppliers. 

Clearly, I cannot comment on how EDF has decided to implement the billing system change reading but I doubt that it has anything to do with the billing platform. In truth, does it actually matter: you will only be billed for the standing charge until your meter index reading passes the change reading?

It doesn't really matter to me as I keep my own records and know exactly how much my monthly or 6 monthly bill is. However it's not great for those that don't, and how long before they increase my direct debit because their system is showing hundreds less in credit than there should be because they haven't recalculated using the up to date readings?

Wow another conspiracy theory. Kraken has for the last 4 years used 30 minute usage for billing for many of its time-of-use tariffs along with API account access negating the need for spreadsheets etc. I can see at a glance whether my bill is correct: the information comes directly from my supplier account.

Wow, just because yours is billed correctly by a different supplier and mine wasn't I'm suddenly a conspiracy theorist? 

dunstonh

badmemory said:

If you are with the same supplier their internal processes should not prevent you from your right to switch.  If they felt like it they could do this on a daily basis.  Yes I know they wouldn't but if anyone wanted to switch providers they could stop them every time by changing something on their systems.  It would not be difficult to do.

The cost of changing systems will likely run into hundreds of millions of pounds. It is also more difficult than you think.

badmemory

But they obviously can & have.

Spoonie_Turtle

badmemory said:

But they obviously can & have.

It's not just a minor change within their systems, they've changed to an entirely different billing platform.  You saying they could do it every month/whenever they want is like saying this forum could change providers every month - not realistic or feasible in the slightest.

badmemory

It is their system & they are the ones with the problem not the unfortunate user who seem to be stuck with it.  It was not their choice & should not be their problem.